reef

Log This Dive

Ukon Denchi

Ukon Denchi, near Ishigaki, holds a special place for us. It’s one of those sites where you can just drift and let the reef reveal itself. We’ve found it particularly good when the weather keeps you closer to shore, offering surprisingly sheltered conditions even on blustery days. Our favourite thing here has to be the sheer density of the staghorn coral. It forms these intricate, sprawling fields that stretch out under you, a proper maze for smaller fish. Look closely, and you’ll often spot lighthouse lizardfish perched on the tips, perfectly camouflaged. We’ve also had some fantastic encounters with common sandpipers foraging along the shallows near the entry point – a nice bonus before you even get your fins wet. The deeper sections around 15 metres hold some beautiful pavona and starflower corals, creating lovely pockets of colour. It’s a site that rewards a slow pace, letting you really soak in the details rather than rushing between big pelagic sightings. If you’re into macro life and intricate coral structures, this is a solid choice.